Compensatory vs. Classic Narcissist - important to read!!!
Compensatory vs. Classic Narcissist - important to read!!!
It's so important for us to really validate what we have been through and sometimes the information just isn't there but WOW stumbling on to Sam Vaknin's site once again I happen to finally catch who my ex N was on the NPD spectrum. He has behaved differently from my primary narc who was CLASSIC. My recent x N was def a compensatory narc and here is the list of traits. Things that struck chords with me for him were his saying "MY business was high-profile and that's why I got arrested and indicted", when everything I read online about his business said it was a complete dump. I found that this is one of the must have traits in order to be called a compensatory narc! Also my x N was and is very ashamed of himself and prone to depression which is also found in this list - Finally:
The basic trait of the Compensatory Narcissistic Personality Type is a pattern of overtly narcissistic behaviours (that) derive from an underlying sense of insecurity and weakness, rather than from genuine feelings of self-confidence and high self-esteem."
The Compensatory Narcissistic Personality Type:
Seeks to create an illusion of superiority and to build up an image of high self-worth [Millon];
Strives for recognition and prestige to compensate for the lack of a feeling of self-worth;
May "acquire a deprecatory attitude in which the achievements of others are ridiculed and degraded" [Millon];
Has persistent aspirations for glory and status [Millon];
Has a tendency to exaggerate and boast [Millon];
Is sensitive to how others react to him, watches and listens carefully for critical judgement, and feels slighted by disapproval [Millon];
"Is prone to feel shamed and humiliated and especially (anxious) and vulnerable to the judgements of others" [Millon];
Covers up a sense of inadequacy and deficiency with pseudo-arrogance and pseudo-grandiosity [Millon];
Has a tendency to periodic hypochondria [Forman];
Alternates between feelings of emptiness and deadness and states of excitement and excess energy [Forman];
Entertains fantasies of greatness, constantly striving for perfection, genius, or stardom [Forman];
Has a history of searching for an idealised partner and has an intense need for affirmation and confirmation in relationships [Forman];
Frequently entertains a wishful, exaggerated and unrealistic concept of himself, which he can't possibly measure up to [Reich];
Produces (too quickly) work not up to the level of his abilities because of an overwhelmingly strong need for the immediate gratification of success [Reich];
Is touchy, quick to take offence at the slightest provocation, continually anticipating attack and danger, reacting with anger and fantasies of revenge when he feels himself frustrated in his need for constant admiration [Reich];
Is self-conscious, due to a dependence on approval from others [Reich];
Suffers regularly from repetitive oscillations of self-esteem [Reich];
Seeks to undo feelings of inadequacy by forcing everyone's attention and admiration upon himself [Reich];
May react with self-contempt and depression to the lack of fulfilment of his grandiose expectations [Riso].
I don't see the difference between the two.
This is my ex. I could list
The covert N
janine
Used, yes, same with mine
janine
Patience
This is my soon to be exn
Wow Patiencegoal...You Hit Home!
tova
Patiencegoal
patientgoal
Sara-smile
Thanks PG
Oh those compensatory narcissists!